Bloodhound vs Harrier
Compare two breeds
Pick two breeds to see them compared side by side.
Bloodhound
One of the oldest and most scent-sensitive breeds in existence, its ancestry traces to medieval monasteries in Belgium, which is where the breed's other name, Saint-Hubert, comes from. The long, drooping ears and loose facial skin help trap scent particles in the air, a design that's kept the breed in active use for law enforcement trailing work for decades. The body is large, up to 50 kilograms, and the gait is slow but relentless, capable of following a trail for hours. Drooling comes with the territory given the loose lips. The temperament is calm and friendly despite the imposing look. Once it locks onto a scent, pulling it off that trail is genuinely difficult. Life expectancy runs 10 to 12 years.
Harrier
The Harrier was used in England to hunt hare for hunters following on foot, smaller than a Foxhound but fast and tireless enough to run quarry down across open fields for hours. The name comes from an old French word for hare, which describes its sole historic purpose precisely. The short, dense coat needs minimal grooming. A male weighs up to 27 kilograms, muscular and high-energy, at its best with a job or at least a long daily run. The breed tends to hunt by scent even in a domestic setting, so a leash outdoors is close to essential. Life expectancy runs 10 to 12 years.
At a glance
| Bloodhound | Harrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Height (male) | 63.0–69.0 cm | 48.0–55.0 cm |
| Weight (male) | 41.0–50.0 kg | 20.0–27.0 kg |
| Life expectancy | 10–12 yrs | 10–12 yrs |
| Coat | short, dense | short, dense |
Temperament & Family Life
| Bloodhound | Harrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Family friendly | ||
| Good with children | ||
| Good with other dogs | ||
| Friendly with strangers | ||
| Intelligence | ||
| Trainability |
Exercise, Energy & Space
| Bloodhound | Harrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Energy level | ||
| Exercise need | ||
| Apartment friendly | ||
| Prey drive | ||
| Hunting instinct |
Guarding & Alertness
| Bloodhound | Harrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Guarding instinct | ||
| Watchfulness | ||
| Barking level |
Grooming & Care
| Bloodhound | Harrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Shedding | ||
| Drooling | ||
| Grooming need |
Temperament and care scores (1-5) are a general guide based on the breed standard — every individual dog is different.